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MPs waver once again as 'emotive' assisted dying bill heads back to the Commons
- The bill permitting assisted dying for adults in England and Wales diagnosed with a terminal illness is scheduled for further discussion in the House of Commons on Friday, May 17, 2025.
- The Bill follows a historic vote in November 2024 and extensive committee scrutiny, but ongoing concerns about safeguards, mental health safeguards, and practicality have led to numerous amendments and divided opinions among MPs and medical bodies.
- Backers, including cross-party MPs and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, emphasize stronger protections and maintain support, while the Royal College of Psychiatrists expresses serious concerns about the legislation’s current form and psychiatric capacity.
- Since November, over 500 amendments have been debated, with approximately a third agreed, and key supporters argue that the law change addresses unbearable suffering and compassion while opponents warn of societal risks and weakening safeguards.
- The outcome remains uncertain as the vote could be influenced by wavering MPs, and the Bill’s passage would lead it to the House of Lords, marking a significant step in assisted dying legislation in England and Wales.
41 Articles
41 Articles
Political opinion: John Milne MP: More impassioned debate on the Assisted Dying Bill
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, better known as Assisted Dying, returned to the Commons last Friday. Once again, it was the cause of impassioned debate from all sides of the argument. The way this bill is being debated is very unusual, and it’s confusing for anyone looking in from the outside. To be frank, it’s not exactly straightforward for MPs either.
MacDonald: Before We Give Them Our Permission to Die ...
The UK’s Royal College of Psychiatrists (RC Psych) has taken an unusual position on an Assisted Dying Bill before parliament. Unlike many in the US and Canada, the RC Psych has chosen to be cautiously neutral while disagreeing with politicians and advocates that this is the ultimate expression of empathy. When people are miserable, particularly ... Read more Source
Our top ten picks of the week
The major problem with the Assisted Dying Bill is not just assisting suicide – it’s the Bill itself Danny Kruger “Some people oppose the principle of this Bill. However even if you support assisted suicide this Bill is the wrong one. It is too wide in its eligibility; the process of pushing it through Parliament has been chaotic, bordering on anti-democratic and it will have a severely detrimental effect on the NHS.” — Our Survey: Kemi Badenoch …
Disabled People are Not "Better off Dead"
Craig Paton reported for the Independent on May 13, 2025 on the Not Dead Yet UK rally outside Holyrood (Scottish parliament) as the Liam McArthur assisted suicide bill was debated and voted on. The rally opposing assisted suicide featured actress Liz Carr and Scottish Labour MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy. Paton reported that Silent Witness star Liz Carr told campaigners outside the Scottish Parliament that: “I am so fed up of having to answer strangers…
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